Home. Whatever happens, it seems home always remains home. For
me, this particular trip back was one of mixed emotions. It definitely was home
sweet home to be at my childhood house again with all its fond memories. It was
wonderful to see and spend time with my parents and family. It was fun to reconnect
with old friends and everyone from church. It was delicious savoring my
favorite Nigerian meals, all punctuated with familiar peppery spiciness. And it
was exciting to watch the drama of this World Cup unfold and to support the
Super Eagles from Nigeria.
Ah, home.
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| Scenery around Jos |
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| The beautiful garden at the house |
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| Road construction work going on just outside the compound |
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| Having fun driving the "Keke Napep" around |
But it also saddened my heart to see and experience the
state of a country affected by so much turmoil. Many Nigerians, overwhelmed with years
of relentless act of terror, rampant corruption, blatant lawlessness, and
negligent disrepair, are settling into resignation and defeat. Is there hope
for Nigeria? Will respite, peace, and true progress ever come?
For those living in volatile and insecure areas such as Jos,
it seems that more and more are replacing their fear of attacks with a degree of callousness.
People cannot sit and be paralyzed with fear forever. Life must go on, bombs or
no bombs. And so, despite the insecurity, life does go on and people go about their daily business - almost as if
everything were normal.
Jos itself has changed. It is not the same city that I grew
up in, and not even the same city that I visited just two years ago. Yes, there are definitely signs here and there of development, but I get the sense that – overall – the change
is not for the better.
Ah, home.
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| When traffic isn't going your way, just create another lane |
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| Ahmadu Bello Way, downtown Jos |
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| Street merchants set up, not so legally, in the median |
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| The site of the recent Boko Haram bombing in Nyanya, just outside Abuja |
I do have hope, however. It comes out of desperation and brokenness,
but it is hope all the same. And this hope is in an unchanging God that is very
present and at work in Nigeria, despite the circumstances. Christ is greater
than any circumstance, and His work is evident in certain of His people’s lives
and ministry.
People like my parents are examples of those living in
Nigeria who are persevering in faith, by the grace of God. Many years ago, they chose to return to Nigeria instead of remaining in the UK, because they felt that was where God was calling them to be. They have been doing
their part to make a difference and bring change to the nation ever since,
through their work and ministry. More like them are out there, and these individuals realize that despite the daunting issues of the nation (and the sorrow and
heartache they bring), change starts with a God-fearing individual doing what
is right and what he or she has been called to do. Therein lies the only hope
of my nation: Christ working in the heart of the individual Nigerian.
During our 18-day stay in Nigeria, the Lord blessed us with
a chance to encourage his body at the church I grew up in, ECWA Plateau Church.
We spoke for a short time during Sunday morning worship about the work God is
doing through the ministry at GSF – and the response was tremendous. The body
at EPC were encouraged and challenged by our testimony, and we have added greatly to
our prayer support. We too, were encouraged by the testimony of
experienced missionaries and stories of other missionaries working around
Africa under the ECWA missions branch, the Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS).
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| ECWA Plateau Church getting ready for Sunday worship |
Corinne and I were also encouraged and blessed by a wedding
reception that my parents planned and organized. Granted, it came 11 months into
our marriage, but we believe that it was an event that glorified the Lord. The gospel was shared during the ceremony with several unbelievers in
attendance. The event was an enjoyable experience of Naija
culture as well. Nigerians really know how to celebrate! Corinne will be posting more
pictures of our Nigerian reception later on this week.
All in all, we are very grateful to God for our trip to
Nigeria. We are grateful that, amid the bustling chaos of city life, we were
able to have a restful time with family. We are thankful for the opportunity to encourage
others through our testimony. And we are grateful for the encouragement in
our work and ministry that we have received.
Here are some ways that you can be praying with us this week:
1) Despite the typical "excitement" (a.k.a. wahala) at the Abuja airport, we have just made it safely back to Uganda! Please praise God with us.
2) Thank God for an edifying trip and opportunities to share about the ministry at GSF.
3) Pray for Nigeria: that God would change the heart of Nigerians - especially the youth growing up in that kind of society, raise up leaders of integrity (upcoming 2015 election), expose and eradicate corruption, and give government wisdom and resources for dealing with Boko Haram.
4) Pray for Corinne and me as we jump back into full gear with our work at Good Shepherd's Fold.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support!
